Larimer commissioners ban sale of fireworks, urge Loveland to do the same

County has enacted a full fire ban

By Pamela Dickman

Posted:
06/19/2012 12:32:46 PM MDT

FORT COLLINS – Residents cannot legally use fireworks anywhere in the state,but for now, they can legally buy them in Loveland – something Larimer County has banned and hopes Loveland will do.

With the High Park fire raging west of Fort Collins, destroying homes, filling the air with smoke and reminding residents of the power of fire, the Larimer County commissioners on Tuesday strengthened the fire ban in the unincorporated parts of the county to include all open fires, charcoal grills, campfires and the sale of fireworks.

The elected board also decided to write a letter to the Loveland City Council asking it to also ban the sale of fireworks. Meanwhile, vendors in Loveland are starting to set up tents and stock their already ordered and paid-for inventory.

“This costs us a bundle because everything is in and ready to go,” said Pete Sakala, who has sold fireworks in unincorporated Larimer County on West Mulberry Street for 35 years.

He believes the ban will simply push customers to Wyoming, where they will buy the more dangerous and illegal fireworks and bring them back. Allowing the sale, even while the use is banned, would let customers stock up for a time when conditions are safe and use is once again permitted, he said.

The fire danger is just too high, and people will think fireworks are legal because they can buy them, according to several area fire chiefs. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper has banned the private use of all fireworks while still allowing commercial displays such the one planned in Loveland on July 4.

“The risk is incredible. The governor has placed a ban. It's true some people probably will still use them, but we send a strong message to citizens this is not safe. Come to City Park to celebrate as a community; don't do it in your backyard.”

Inside Larimer County, Fort Collins always bans the sale of fireworks. With the unincorporated county following suit, that leaves only Loveland as a major source of sales.

City Manager Bill Cahill said he doesn't know what the council will choose to do. He will let council members know about the county's action and a letter the commissioners plan to send urging the city to join them in the sales ban.

The City Council could have a special meeting next Tuesday to consider the option, but nothing has yet been decided. And, Cahill said, any decision would consider the businesses that are setting up already and have already bought their merchandise for the season.

The commissioners said they will give the City Council the benefit of the doubt that it will respect and support the risk and dangers in the unincorporated county and ban sales.

“The use has been banned statewide,” said Tom Donnelly, commissioner from Loveland. “Why allow the sale? It doesn't make sense.The city of Loveland is going to look how it's going to look (if they don't follow the ban). It's going to look irresponsible, but we have to do what is right.”

The full fire ban prohibits campfires, charcoal grills, open fires, fireworks and more. It does allow campstoves or grills fueled by bottled gas or pressurized liquid specifically designed for cooking, commercially operated charcoal grills and smoking inside an enclosed vehicle.

Rocky Mountain National Park also has a full fire ban, and the U.S. Forest Service is expected to do so in the coming days.

Commissioner Lew Gaiter vowed to work with Sakala and other vendors to possibly allow sales during another, less risky, time of year so they are not stuck with their inventory. However, Sakala said he is going to try to peddle his wares elsewhere first.

"I'm going to Weld County," he said as he left the commissioners' meeting Tuesday.